UFC 155 Predictions – Cain Velasquez Vs. Junior Dos Santos

If you haven’t been paying close attention, you may not even know there’s a huge heavyweight fight tomorrow. I think the UFC has done a poor job at promoting what should be a spectacular main event, especially coming off their first fight on Fox in front of 7 million people in late 2011. Why there wasn’t any strong promotion done to let those folks know about this fight is beyond me.

A video was recently released, showing us what we’d heard after the first fight – Cain Velasquez was fighting hurt. This video was supposedly taken a couple weeks before their first fight and you can see it here.

Dos Santos was rumored to be hurt as well. This time, hopefully both men are healthy and will put on the type of performance that we expected the first go-around.

Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos

Stevie J says: Velasquez by 2nd round TKO
I’m picking Cain by second round knockout. After talking to Joe Martinez yesterday, and reflecting on their respective performances in previous fights, I think Cain is the much more dangerous fighter right now. I take nothing away from JDS, he’s a class act and of immense value to UFC whether the champion or not, and he certainly proved me wrong in their last fight. I think losing the title was the best thing to ever happen to Cain though. He had been so dominant to that point that losing his title, that way, in such a public forum refocused him. He’ll do to Junior what he did to Bigfoot or worse.

Ryan says: Dos Santos by 2nd round TKO
Both guys have fire in their hands, but Velasquez got knocked out in their last meeting and that has to be weighing on him. If Velasquez is at all tentative or hesitant about jumping into the pocket (and getting knocked out by dos Santos once again), he’s going to lose.

Heidi says: Velasquez by 2nd round TKO
Some may call it wishful thinking, but when it comes to the heavyweight rematch of JDS v Cain, I believe that Cain Velasquez could be a different man this time out. Rumors of a knee injury Velasquez suffered in their first fight has circulated throughout the media in recent weeks. Though Cain makes no excuses for losing the title to dos Santos, I think based on his mauling of Bigfoot Silva, there’s only one goal he has on his mind – to obliterate JDS. It’ll be no easy feat since the current champ has only one loss on his record, dynamite fists and speed that overpowers lesser men. But, if Cain can impose his will, wrestle down dos Santos and bring on the ground and pound perhaps he can bring home a 2nd round TKO.

Duan says: Dos Santos by 2nd round TKO
I see this as much more of a 50/50 type fight this time around. The first time these two met, I knew going in that Velasquez was overvaluing his striking game, and I also knew that it would be over before he had a chance to adjust. He knows he can’t do that this time. He will look to keep his defenses tight, smother up close, and pressure for the takedown – making himself a more difficult target to take out. Velasquez wrestling is at a level where I expect a 50% success rate on takedowns regardless of opponent, so I do think he has the ability to get this to the floor. It’s then a matter of how long he can keep it there and how much damage he can inflict.

I’m sticking with Dos Santos though. My feeling is that if that shot was there for him so early last time, it’s always going to be there for him. He might have to survive some rough patches to find his opening, but every second he’s on his feet, is another chance for him to close out the show. At some point in a five rounder, he’s going to find a home for it.

Alan says: Velasquez by 2nd round TKO
I definitely think I’ve underrated Junior at times. He seems to constantly surprise me. I think I just subconsciously worry about his lack of wrestling skills. But should I? He’s only spent 15 seconds on his back in his UFC career. That’s insane. Cain looked so scary in his last fight though. If he shows up with that aggressiveness, he may run through the champ. Then again, he may run into an uppercut again. It’s a tough call, but I’m gonna give the nod to Cain.

GG says: Velasquez by 4th round TKO
I’m the only one who thinks this thing gets out of the second. I truly think this is going to be one of the greatest heavyweight fights of all time. I think they match up tremendously. Cain’s wrestling is the root of his game. JDS’ boxing is the root of his. If Cain shoots in, he has to worry about the uppercut. If JDS gets a little open with his hands, he risks being taken down. I think the first two rounds are going to be even steven. But in the third and fourth, we’ll see what separates these guys from everyone else in the division. I don’t imagine Cain will gas as he’s supposed to have legendary cardio. We haven’t seen JDS pushed to his limits simply because no one’s been able to. I think in the third and fourth round, Cain’s stamina and wrestling base will take over and he’ll wear JDS out. I don’t think JDS goes out easily, but Cain’s aggressive ground and pound will cause the stoppage.